Michel Roux distils a lifetime's knowledge of French food and cooking into this definitive book on French cooking. Based around over 100 classic recipes that have stood the test of time, the lavishly illustrated tome explores the diversity of French cuisine, which has influenced so many other styles of cooking around the world over the centuries. From Picardie to Provence, Brittany to Alsace, France is blessed with a rich and varied landscape, which provides an abundant range of ingredients, and encompasses different cultures with their own styles of cooking; hence the wonderful array of great French dishes. In The Essence of French Cooking Michel gives his personal interpretations of classic dishes, along with mouth-watering variations and accompaniments as appropriate. He also provides detailed information on the classic techniques, fascinating stories about the origin of the recipes and information about ingredients and regional culinary traditions. In addition, there are features on French cheeses and wine. Photographed on location in France, this extraordinarily beautiful book embraces the timeless essence of French cuisine and conveys the flavours and variety of French cooking today. 'I have based this book around a collection of 100 recipes that for me express the absolute essence of French cuisine.' Michel Roux 'After a lifetime of professional cooking at the highest standard Michel Roux has written a beautiful book, irresistible for those who love to cook french food and who are prepared to spend time doing it well. It reminds serious cooks that to succeed requires understanding and attention to detail. It also reminds us of the primal importance of classical French cookery in the development of modern global gastronomy.' Stephanie Alexander